Good News!!!!!!

I received some very good news on Friday afternoon. While playing video poker I received a call from my oncologist with the results of my PET scan that I took Thursday.........(drum roll)........... the scan came back clean! The chemo and the radiation worked. I am cancer free!!!!!


Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Leaving for Vegas

Thank you, Theresa and Troy for the great send-off for our celebration trip to Vegas!

Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor 11/12/10

All righty tidy folks, more good news from the ENT doctor. After sticking his fingers in my mouth and scoping the throat(through the nose)he concurs with my radiation doctor that there is no tumor to be felt or seen. The area was still red and a little swollen but that is normal. Next visit with him will be in February. That's what I'm talking about!!!
I have nothing but praise for the doctors and assistants that Mary and I have come into contact with. We have become firm believers of everything happening for a reason. Mary losing her job in February of this year and hooking up with a part time job from home. This allowed her to care for me throughout this whole ordeal. Getting a referral for the ENT(Blatchford) that I have, who happened to be in the same office as the original ENT(Ray) I saw, from her new boss. Doctor Blatchford's wife had breast cancer so he referred me to the oncologist that treated his wife, Dr. Neuschatz. Doctor Neuschatz referred me to Dr. Chen, my medical oncologist, who happened to have an opening two days later instead of two weeks later and the rest is history. I would never wish on someone what I went through these past three and a half months, but if it happened I highly recommend these great doctors and their staff for their knowledge, professionalism, caring, and upbeat attitude.

Peace out dudes and dudettes!

Therapy Started

Steve started therapy today with his Speech Pathologist, Babs (yes, really). She is also amazed at how well Steve is able to swallow and how his taste buds are coming back. He does need help (hahaha, I knew that before all this started) with some of his swallowing techniques and also getting rid of his "waddle" which under his neck on his throat (like a turkey neck). He'll have appointments for the next month twice a week.
Steve has an appt. this Friday with Dr. Blatchford his ENT and the 18th is when his pet scan is schedule (scary).
Thank you all for your continued support.

Doctor visit 11/03

I had very good news today on my birthday. After further review the play is confirmed. No tumor to be seen or felt by my Radiation Oncologist. Needless to say Mary and myself are very relieved. When questioned on the tumor returning he said there is a 20% chance for a person at my stage of recovery. If it did come back it would be within 2 years. He feels very confident that it won't. For now my visits with him will be every 2 months. Next up for the home team, Primary Care doctor visit on Friday to get my meds squared away. Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor visit on the 12th and then my Medical Oncologist on the 30th. All of this will continue for the next 2 years at the least. If things go well between now and the 30th my feeding tube should be gone the first week of December.
Again Mary and I would would like to thank all of you for your support, prayers, and love.

Peace Out!!!!!

A happy day in River City today...

95 days, yes, 95 days. 24 hours together. Did I mention 95 days?

Here is Steve going back to work today, October 26, 2010, 5:30am. As he waved goodbye, I turned off the outside light and went back to bed. Now Steve is figuring out what days he is going to take off since he has quite a few vacation days remaining. More togetherness?!!

Thank goodness (fingers crossed, praying constantly) we are over the worst of it. We (Steve) still has Dr. visits and pet scans for the next few years (at least) and I pray we (and I do mean we) never have to experience this again.

I thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, I don't know how I would have coped. I also pray that no-one has to go through this, if you do, please count on us to be there for you.

I/we will still update after every doctor visit.

Love to all.

P.S. did I mention 95 days??

Vegas here we come!!!

A sad day in River City today.......

I went back to work. Okay, so it depends on which side you're looking at. On Mary's side she is happy to finally get me out of the house. But for me I was enjoying being retired. Unfortunately I have another 100 years of work.
On the brighter side I am able to eat more solids each day. Woo hoo here I come corned beef sandwich.

Doctor visit on 10/25/10

I had an appointment with my medical oncologist today and everything is hunky dory. She's very pleased with my progress and I don't have to see her until the 30th of November. On closer examination she cannot feel anything in the neck area.

October 15

Wow, it seems like we don't have much to say lately! I guess that's a good thing.
Tonight we (Steve, Alanna and myself) went to Macaroni Grill. Steve and I figured its been close to 2 months since we've actually went out and enjoyed a meal together. Steve was able to eat a little (very little) caprese salad, chicken and pasta. Not much, but it is a start. Of course, we just received another 9 cases of formula so he won't starve!
I think I was doing better when we were going for treatments everyday. Now we're waiting for Steve to be able to have a PET scan done and to be told the cancer is gone. A few more weeks!
Thank you for your continued emails and phone calls.

10/8/10

It's been a while since I've posted. All is going very well. The swallowing is not there yet but the pain is gone. Hopefully next week I will be able to do mashed potatoes and malt-o-meal on an everyday basis. The taste buds are trying to make a comeback but that is slow also.
I have 3 doctors appointments scheduled over the next few weeks starting today with my radiation doctor. Doctor Neuschatz still can't get over how well I'm progressing with the throat. He was also pleased that my weight has stayed steady. Today was the first time that he used a tongue depressor to get a better look at the tongue and throat. He said he could still see irritation on the left side which worried Mary and myself that the cancer was still there. He assured us that the cancer is gone and that what he was seeing was just irritation. Whew! Mary questioned him on the feeding tube removal and he said probably another 2 months and that it could be done as out patient at the gastro guy. All they do is pull it out from the outside, no going down the throat. I see him again in 3 weeks and he will scope my throat to see how things are. He will also schedule my pet scan to see if the cancer is gone. Dr. N has cleared me back to work on the 26th of Oct.
On Monday I am going to my regular doctor to fill him in on "What I did on summer vacation" and get a refill for a script.
Two weeks after that I see Dr. Chen my medical oncologist for a check up.
Hopefully after her, my appointments will be few and far between.
Oh, I almost forgot the 4th specialist that I have been having phone consultations with every Friday. Dr. Lenihan. I couldn't have gotten through this without this great medical staff.

Today's Visit

Steve met with Dr. Chen today. Again, she is quite pleased (and surprised) at how well Steve is doing. She's had patients that had to be hospitalized with the same condition.
Good news/bad news
1st the good news - Dr. C doesn't need to see Steve for 3 weeks.
Bad news - she said he may have his feeding tube in for 4 more months and hopefully able to enjoy holiday meals. Steve just shook his head no. She mentioned she had one patient (40 yr old man) that kept his feeding tube in for a year because it was more like a security blanket. He was afraid if it was taken out he would lose weight.
He gained a couple of pounds since Friday, so he's only down 33!!
Steve has a visit Friday with Dr. Neuschatz (radiation oncologist).
Take care.

Saturday in the....

bowling alley? Yep, we decided to go watch our son, sister, brothers, their spouses, our niece and nephews BOWL (they are in a league and bowl every other week). (Unfortunately, Stephen, Elliot, Brooke and Sean are the youngest ones bowling. Stephen and Elliot certainly won't find their dream girlfriend, wife and hopefully not a cougar there).
OK, back to my story. First, let me explain why this is funny, Steve doesn't really want to go with me if I need to do a quick errand while we are home; but yet, was OK with driving an hour and a half to and from to go watch our family. Oops, except he didn't drive, I did. I really don't like to drive long distances; I don't like to drive in the rain, I don't like to drive while its windy. The drive up and back was rainy and windy. Another discovery on the way up...I don't like to drive during dust storms (thank goodness it wasn't a bad one). Alright already, enough whining.
Steve is doing a better each day. Today, (Sunday) while I was giving blood (yep, I give so more can live) he actually ate some Malt O Meal. Breanne (our niece) was also at the bowling alley and has her degree in Speech Pathology, gave Uncle Steve a free therapy lesson! She told him what he needs to do to get the swelling (fluid) from his neck down.
It really was nice seeing (almost) everyone together.
We need to concentrate on Steve eating through his mouth more and get the feeding tube out (hopefully not end up in ICU). Then Steve can go back to work - yippee!!
Thank you for your love and support.

After the 1st week

Last week was a rough one. Steve's throat was very sore and he felt crummy. He decided not to go for any additional fluids after last Monday just to give his veins and his body a rest. (It was very strange not having any appointments to go to). So, he lost another 3 pounds. This week and next he is scheduled for fluids three times each week. Mary, his PA, said his neck is even softer than last week and feels "full." This concerned us and she said the fullness is because of the swelling not because the tumor is growing back. Whew! So far, so good. I've noticed Steve's voice is getting stronger as he is "yelling" at the TV during football - GO BEARS!!!!!!!
Stephen, thank you for coming down for a couple of days and helping out, Alanna thank you for being here whenever we need you (and for letting dad drive your new wheels in the cul-de-sac). George and Chan thank you for spending Sunday with us.
Tomorrow Steve has an appt. with his radiation oncologist, hopefully we'll get great news again!
Thank you everyone for your continued calls, cards and emails!
Love to all.

Steve completed his radiation on 9/20/10

He received a certificate and his mask!

IT IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God my treatments are finally done. I received my completion certificate and my mask from the nurses / techs. We went in to see the chemo oncologist for a check up and hydration after radiation. The doctor and pa were ecstatic with how well the lymph has shrunk and disappeared. They could not feel a thing. Woo hoo. Best thing yet is I got some "LM" for my throat pain. Yes folks liquid morphine! Time to vegetate for a while. No doctors or hydration until next week.

Again I would like to thank my family, friends, and co-workers for their thoughts, prayers, and love. Without you it would have been hell for Mary and myself.

Peace out!

We were warned...

that Steve may start feeling crappy. He is. His throat is so sore that he can barely swallow and is now 100% on nutrition and hydration feedings. This should last a couple of more weeks and we are hoping that's all.
Thank you, Danalda for lunch today. It was nice getting out, and I do believe that will be my last "outing" for a while. I want to stay closer to Steve (I know you're thrilled, Steve) and make sure he eats and drinks enough to keep up his strength, because I'm sure he feels the same way I do that he needs to get back to work, soon (lol).
Love to all.

Week 7 - almost check

With one more radiation treatment to go, I can't say week 7 is really done. As the latest card from Geoff and Carol says "the end is near! (your treatments). How true. Thank you for the card and gift card - now stop!

Steve's radiation tech - Catalina is amazed at how resilient Steve's skin on his neck and face are. She said she wishes she could show him pictures of patients that have gone through what he has and their sores and burns.

This weekend hasn't started out quite as well as weekends prior. Steve woke up and said his throat has never hurt so much in his life. I really need to be after him for his feedings (he's only had 2 cans so far today (1pm)) and to drink plenty of water.

While Steve was getting hydration this past week, Dr. Chen came into the medical room and saw Steve. She stopped by, gave me a hug, checked Steve's neck, smiled and gave Steve a hug. Steve's doctors, nurses and techs just amaze me. Besides family and friends, I have never met more loving and caring people. Chan, you and Brenda were right. The medical professionals in oncology are very unique with how they make you feel.

Okay, and one more thing. I swear that Steve's hair on his head and chest are turning dark. I checked with Chan and she said it could happen, some people's hair color changes. Pretty expensive way of turning back time!

We couldn't have done this without you. Your love and support mean the world to us.

ONE MORE RADIATION TREATMENT!

1 more and I'm out the door!!!!!!

Let me tell you that these last 2 weeks have sucked big time. I really don't want to swallow or talk if I don't have to. I guess I should be grateful that this came in weeks 6 and 7 and not starting in week 3. For those of you keeping track on your scorecard it is 0 chemos left(even though I'm going to see her for hydration every week) and 1 radiation left. After that it's doctors visits and recuperation.
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers.
Oh and I would like to give a special shout out to my bald little leprechaun Michael J Lenihan. Thanks for the phone calls each week. They were very uplifting.

Peace out!

Wednesday, September 15th

I would like to thank the ladies that I work for and with - Laurie, Pam, Anita, Barb, Kathie and Kris for making our work luncheon yesterday extra special. Steve and I appreciate the super, duper large cookie (actually Steve took a nibble and I, well, we won't go into how much I had) and also the Sparking Apple Cider which will be perfect to celebrate next week!! You certainly went Above and Beyond - lol. FYI if you don't know -- I work for Above and Beyond Relocation Services. Above and Beyond is a women owned company (Pam and Laurie) that will be celebrating 10 years in business November 1. Pretty impressive! You ladies are a life saver - hugs to each and everyone.
Mary

Chemo Day

Steve had his last chemo yesterday! Very exciting! We can't believe he is in the final stretch of his treatment. Since his throat is so sore and he has a sore or two in his mouth, he will still need to see his chemo dr or PA next Monday. Steve is also scheduled for hydration Wed, Fri and next Monday. He thought that helped him through this past weekend so, why not?! What's another IV? His blood work throughout his treatment has been good, another nice surpise.

We saw Dr. N today and he is very surprised (and happy) that Steve is doing as well as he is doing. He is still eating through his mouth, very little, but anything is better than nothing. As long as he keeps swallowing this will help down the road and he may not need therapy. Steve is up to 6 cans of formula a day! Just need to get him to one more for a total of 7!

Thank you everyone, for your continued support and prayers! 4 more radiation treatments!

Week six - Check

I can't believe that in July 7 weeks seemed as such a long time. Now, we are down to the LAST week!
Steve is still a tad bit stubborn about taking his nutrition. I've been told ignore him, but that is easier said than done when it concerns his health. We are down to 7 cases! Hopefully only a few more weeks of this. Let's all keep our fingers crossed he can go back to work earlier lol.
Thank you Stephen for coming down and taking your dad out - Alanna thank you for taking me for a nice walk this morning!
1 more chemo and 6 more radiation treatments (darn that Labor day).
We thank everyone for their love and support.
Love you all!

The final stretch

Can you believe Monday starts week number 7? I can and I'm happy as a pig in you know what. If your counting at home, 1 chemo and 6 radiations left. I guess time flies when you're having fun. The sore throat is more pronounced now and knowing I only have 1 more week of radiation is a comfort. Hopefully the throat will be quick in healing because I really don't feel like talking too much right now.
I went into the chemo doctors office, after radiation yesterday, to get a bag of hydration to see if it would help with how I felt on weekends and it seems to have worked a little. Oh and I was weighed there. I am at 207 and have lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. All in all I feel pretty good. Fatigue and the sore throat are my only foes.
Until next week sports fans. Be safe, be careful, and eat your greens.

Peace out.

Good news today

As I mentioned in my last post I was fitted with a new mask and yes I was rescanned today. After radiation treatment and rescanning I went in to see the doctor. He was pleased that I only lost 1 pound this week and he also informed us that it was a good thing with the new mask and rescan. It meant that not only did I lose weight but also the lymph has gone down so much that he can hardly feel it. Woo hoo. 1 more chemo and 13 more radiation treatments.

Week Five - Check

It really does seem like only yesterday when we were thinking seven weeks is a long time. We are already done with week five!
Steve is definitely feeling more pain now, and hopefully this will be the worse, though we both know "it will get worse before it gets better." I am nagging, but I worry that he isn't eating enough (he is getting better). I really think I'm turning into my mom!
Thank you, Alanna for taking daddy for labs and treatment yesterday. Thank you, George for helping Stephen move today and Geoff for letting Stephen use your truck. This really meant one less thing for Steve and I to worry about.
Finally, a huge thank you to Carol for taking me to lunch today, and letting me "cry" on your shoulder (which I do a lot) and Geoff for sitting with Steve while you nap - lol. Brookie and Sean, thank you for coming down and Uncle Steve's Netflix subscription. Today was a great day for me (though I may be feeling the affects tomorrow) darn that champagne and wine. Noonz - thank you for everything (except the beer - really, I finished my wine??!!!). Stephen, thank you for the phone call and birthday wishes, I know you worry about dad, but remember we will get through this for better or worse!!! I still want to go to Disneyland, but I think I was out voted tonight and we will be celebrating in November - in Vegas....can Las Vegas handle our family??!!!
Love to everyone. We so appreciate the prayers, wishes, thoughts and everything else in between!
2 more chemo and 10 more radiation treatments!!!!!

Could that be sunlight at the end of the tunnel.....

or the headlight of a freight train? Well folks 5 weeks has come and gone leaving only 2 weeks to go. The throat is beginning to get a little sorer as the weeks go on. I'm glad I have a long weekend to recuperate. After Fridays radiation session I had to be fitted with a new mask due to my weight loss and it looks like I'll have to be rescanned for new points on the mask. I'll find out Tuesday.

Thanks to Brooke and Sean for my Netflix subscription, it will be put to good use.

Chemo - 8/30/10

Hmmmm, Steve weighed in at 213, losing another whopping 5 pounds. At the start he weighed 237. This is not a good thing. So guess what we had??? Another talk. Now he will have 2 cans of the nutrition for lunch and also one can supplementing breakfast and dinner and one as a snack.
I mentioned to Steve that if the treatments don't go as planned because of his weight loss then he will need to find someone else to take his butt everyday.
A bright spot - 2 chemos and 14 radiation treatments left.
Have a wonderful week!

3 to go

Yes folks it's almost over. I do feel pretty well for a weekend. In fact this is the best I've felt on a Saturday in some time. Hopefully it will get better and better the final weeks but I doubt it. The appetite still isn't where it should be but at least I'm getting soup into me, oh and some nutrition drink. Thanks Breanne for stopping by and spending some time with Auntie Mary and myself, we enjoyed it. Again thanks to all for their love and support.

Week Four - Check

Holy cow, as Harry Caray would say. We are going into the final stretch. 3 weeks to go! Steve is doing pretty well. He wasn't as tired at the end of this week as he has in the past weeks.
Both doctors agree that the mass on the side of his neck has gone down and Dr. Neuschatz believes as long as that's gone down so has the tumor on his tongue.
Both doctors are happy, maybe even surprised, Steve is doing as well as he is doing, but both reminded us that Steve will get much worse before he gets better.
He still gets a "little" cranky which he denies, but really, who are you going to believe, Steve or me???!!!
Thanks, Bre (our neice) for spending the day with us.
Love to everyone.
3 more chemo and 15 more radiation treatments!!!!!

Who is that masked man????

Why, it's Steve! This is what he wears for radiation treatment.

8/25/10

Today is Steve's 1/2 mark. He only has 3 1/2 weeks to go and is doing great (usually - sometimes he has a little bit of an attitude, but I guess I can't blame him).
Thank you to George and Chan for driving down and spending a few hours visiting with us. A very nice break.
Thank you Geoff and Carol - Steve does love his Frosty's and will share with Geoff!
I can't say it enough...thank you everyone for everything.

The Nutrition Arrives

Yep, today was the day. We received Steve's nutrition for the next month - yes 9 cases = one month!
Don't let the name Nestle fool you, this does NOT have anything to do with chocolate!
Thank you, Steve for accepting this and taking it in stride.
(Steve got a haircut today; he is not losing his hair).

Chemo - 8/23/10

Really, can Steve be any more pigheaded? He is soooo proud that he's lost weight that he's forgot what his "I'm not hungry, not now", etc means to the rest of us. So again, we had a rather heated discussion this morning about his not eating. Yes, he is proud that he has lost weight, but he looks like crap. He came downstairs this morning pale and gray; not a pretty sight.
I decided that he needs to have feedings through his PEG. Once we got to chemo I called the healthcare company and if Steve is on feedings 100% our insurance company will pay for it, they just need documentation.
Dr. Chen took one look at Steve and said you look terrible. She agreed with me and sent off paperwork to the healthcare company.
Needless to say, we weren't in love this morning, and 9 cases of his formula will be delivered tomorrow!
I realize our problems are small compared to so many other people and I am grateful this was discovered in time.
Thank you everyone for your love and support - every email, text and phone call truly helps.
3 chemo and 19 radiation treatments!!!

Week Three - Check

Week three is in the books - yay!
To say the least Steve has been not been easy to live with. This week was hard on both of us. Understandably, harder on me - kidding!! It has to be very hard not to be able to taste, not want to eat and receive treatments daily. Of course, this is why he's suppose to keep his weight up and drink plenty of water - but enough about that.
The good news is that both doctors believe the mass on his neck has gotten smaller (originally it measured 4 cm). Unfortunately we won't be able to find out how the tumor on the base of his tongue is doing until weeks after treatments are done.
Steve mentioned hopefully he'll feel better and be able to go back to work mid-October - I think I got whiplash turning my neck so quickly and saying, maybe you can go back to work earlier, let's think positively!! Here's to having a relaxing weekend. I think I hear a glass (bottle) of wine calling me.
The countdown continues....4 more chemo and 20 more radiation treatments!

Hey what's that in the rearview mirror?

Why it's week #3 in the dust. Don't let the joviality fool you. Thursdays and Fridays are starting to suck. The downslide usually starts after Wednesdays treatment and keeps going. I'm a little more tired and really don't want to eat or drink much after treatment. It's going to be a lot of little snacks in between meals now. Mary, I don't know how you do it but thank you for putting up with all my moodiness and crap. I love you.

A shout out to a blast from the not so past. Jay-Man otherwise known as Jay Edwards a Ramp Sup from BWI that used to work in the Old Pueblo. Thanks for the words of encouragement from you and Denise and we will work together brother.

As always thank you to family and friends for your support! Gosh, I could go for a hot corned beef on rye with mustard and kraut with a wedge of pickle.

Peace and lovey dovey.

Rocky start to week #3

Had a tough start to week 3 today. My sugar crashed in the doctors office. Besides getting dizzy I started to sweat pretty bad and looked as bad as I did in ICU. It was chemo day and Mary came to the rescue with a cup of applesauce from my lunch. They checked my sugar and it was at 105 after the applesauce. It took about 15 minutes before all calmed down and I walked in back for the chemo. Another good bloodcount and another Monday of chemo with IV's wide open. Well sports fans I'm down to a svelt 219 lbs. I'm loving it but everyone else is not liking it. I was told this morning at chemo that I am going to have to start supplementing my diet with using the feeding tube. I really have to make a concerted effort into eating at least 3 times or more a day. The overall problem is having a dry mouth and the feeling of having a lump of crap on the back of my tongue that I cannot get rid of. After radiation this afternoon I mentioned this to the nurse and she gave me some drug samples to bring saliva back to the mouth. She also mentioned to suck on hard candy. So Lemondrops(unfortunately not martinis) it is for a while to help with the drymouth.
Before some get all over me for not eating, today was a good day. I started with Malt-O-Meal and a glass of iced tea (bad choice, juice tomorrow), progressed to a Wendy's burger for lunch, and topped it off with dinner at Sweet Tomatoes.(excellent cream of mushroom soup) I also had a couple of protien shakes. To everyone out there in cyberland I will start eating better.

I forgot to mention that I stopped in to the station last week. It was great seeing everyone and filling them in on what's going on. I miss them all.

Thanks to everyone for their support, love, and well wishes.
Peace Out!

In the Books

As Mary posted week #2 is in the books. It's nice looking forward to Fridays after treatment because it's two days off. My days are pretty much treatment and relaxing with a little walking around thrown in and plenty of tv. I need to stop watching Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. Everything looks great to eat but at this time in my life my tastebuds are shot by the radiation so not everything has taste. I'm looking forward to 09/20/10 because that is my last radiation treatment and I can look ahead to my throat healing and getting some taste back. Oh, also Vegas to celebrate! Thanks to Geoff for taking me for bloodwork and radiation. I think this is the first time I have ridden with you and you didn't drive like a Vietnamese cab driver. Peace and love to all!

Week 2 - check

I can't say time is flying, but Steve has finished another week. Yay. I think this week was a little better than last week. Steve was more nauseous last week, but is very tired this week. I need to learn to let him be and if he needs anything he'll ask. Though, I keep trying to get him to eat more.
A HUGE thank you to Geoff and Carol for coming down. Geoff took Steve for his labs and radiation treatment while Carol took me for a pedicure. We met Alanna for dinner and Geoff and Carol really appreciated the diversity in Tucson hahaha.
Thank you to our family, friends and co-workers - your thoughts, prayers and messages really do help us. Love to everyone.

You're doing great Steve - 5 more chemo treatments and 25 more radiation treatments. When this is done we can go to Disneyland!!! (Ok, Vegas). Love you.

Radiation day 7

Getting ready to leave for radiation and Steve comes downstairs and shows me the shorts that he is wearing is down 1 size. I mentioned that this isn't the time to be worried about losing weight.
Every Tuesday after radiation Steve has an appt to see his dr. - Dr. Neuschatz. Steve's weight and bp are taken and Dr N comes in the room. Going through Steve's chart he looks and said "Is this right, you've lost 10 lbs in one week?" Steve said yes, but also mentioned he really didn't feel like eating last week and is doing better this week. He told Steve that he can not lose any more weigh., He can't afford to lose 10lbs a week and in 4 weeks be down 40 lbs., this is too much and Steve needs to stabilize his weight loss. He mentioned that he doesn't care how he does it, but he better start getting more nutrition, that's why they wanted the feeding tube in. So if he doesn't feel like eating then get supplemental food and use the feeding tube.



Countdown - 5 more chemo and 28 more radiation treatments!

Week #2

Okay week 2 is starting. After getting my hair pulled off last week by the tape from the IV's I figured I would shave the insides of my arms to give them a clean playing field to work with. Great idea if they decided to play there. My nurse looked at both arms and picked the right arm. After taking a closer look at my good veins she decided to stick..........................the back of my right hand. Back to drawing board. Both arms and hands will be as smooth as a baby's behind next week.

Had a visit from a volunteer at chemo today. She had some very profound words.

"People feel that they need to go hard every hour of the day, but sometimes we just need to sit down and listen to the birds, the wind, the rain, and everyday sounds. It shouldn't take cancer to make us do this in life. We should just do it."
Mary..11 year breast cancer survivor and Arizona Oncology volunteer

Monday 8/9/10

Today's chemo visit went really well. Steve's blood pressure is low so Dr. Chen recommends taking 1/2 dose of his bp med so off to Walgreens I went to get a pill cutter. Since I'm a thinker I got the one that will cut and crush the pills (if it comes down to where Steve can't swallow I'll need to crush his pills and he'll take through his feeding tube), plus it was less expensive than just the pill cutter - lol. (Ok, reading this it doesn't start off sounding like it went well, does it?)

I asked Dr. Chen how/when we will know the treatments are working and she said they won't be able to tell until 6-8 weeks after treatment is over (they need to wait for the swelling to go down and his throat not to be as raw) and they'll do another PET scan. She reiterated again that this is a curable cancer. She checked Steve and said that she feels it is working already because the lymph nodes are softer and smaller.

The whole feeding tube still amazes me, so I asked if I put water in the tube if that will help hydrate and she said yes, and recommends that he drinks Gatorade. She also mentioned that Steve's weight is fine (he's lost 10 lbs), smiled and again mentioned his "extra". I, on the other hand feel as if Monday is my eating day. While Steve is getting his treatments I'm eating the snacks I bought for him! Salads from now on for me!

Today's chemo session seem to have gone quicker than last week. We actually had time to run home and rest for 15 min. before heading out to radiation.

Yay! We are down to 5 chemo and 29 radiation treatments.

Hard Headed

Bro, you have to follow the program. DRINK THE WATER or I will come out there and beat your butt. I can do that or start releasing cute little pictures of you from your past. It is your choice. Blackmail is a good thing!!

Love Ya',
Sue

Week One Done

This week was interesting to say the least. Steve's Monday and Tuesday were great, then that was it. From Wednesday on Steve was very sore, fatigued and a tad bit cranky.

Water - hello, I've been telling him to drink more and of course he doesn't listen. Steve gets in the car after the blood work and says he needs to drink more water because the phlebotomist told him he needed to (at his first chemo treatment he was also told to drink a lot of fluids to flush out the chemo and to help his veins recover from his hospital stay). Needless to say, we had a discussion this evening regarding his health.

A little retail therapy for me tomorrow - for my health, of course!

Thank you to family and friends for the phone calls, cards and brownies!

6 weeks to go!!! YAY!

First week done!!!

Thank God. The psychological high of feeling better went down the tubes over the last few days.
Being tired, always trying to clear my throat, and some headaches are the norm. I got a script to deal with the swelling and soreness in the throat today. It will be a nice break for a couple of days without radiation. I need to start drinking more water because they had a little trouble getting a vein for blood today. I guess I'm not getting enough fluids although I think I am.

3rd Day

Today, was not like days 1 and 2. Steve was tired and his throat was bothering him a lot.
Since I'm such a nice wife, I bought him a strawberry shake on the way home from radiation. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. He needs to be encouraged to take his pain med's and not rely on Tylenol and I truly need to learn patience.
On the bright side 32 more radiation treatments and this will be beat and cured. Since he only received chemo every week we (he) still has 6 more treatments (but 6 is less than 7!!!).

I am glad all went well on your first day. Leave it to you to remember the sandwiches!!! LOL My friend Alisa is really happy that you like and appreciate the St. Jude card. Like the rest of us, she is praying for you. Keep the faith and if there is anything you need, let me know. I love you Bro!!!!!
:-)

First Day

Well, the first day of chemo and radiation is in the books with no ill affects. (knock on wood!) The chemo area is very laid back and homey. Gina, my nurse, filled us in on what can be brought in back during treatment. As long as it isn't offensive to other patients it's good to go. Looks like I'm bringing the computer to watch a video and a couple of sandwiches. Oh, can't forget the water or juice. One of the things you're encouraged to do is go to the bathroom as much as you can to keep the kidneys and bladder flushed. So far no nausea. Woo hoo!

*Note to self, self empty bladder before laying on the table before radiation. Kudos to my radiation nurse Consuela, Carmalita, I guess I'll have to look closer tomorrow, for cutting out holes in my mask for my eyes. It's nice not having to look thru mesh and getting freaked out. The treatment lasted about 25 minutes with various positions of the machine shooting radiation into me. BRB............................................I'm back. It's not true, Iwent into the closet where it was dark, and I didn't glow. Maybe after week 7.

Ok my Peeps and Peepettes peace out and eat your greens.

Day one

1st day of Chemo and radiation are over. A very, very long day. Appt was at 9:30 and the drip (fluids, not Steve hahaha) started at 11.
The staff at Arizona Oncology are absolutely amazing. They try to make it as homey as possible. People bring snacks in to share (just like when our kids played sports, though there isn't a team mom). I can also bring my crafts in, as Carol and Brooke know I won't be able to do any scrapbooking because I need a rather large, large table and tend to use more than my allotted space!
The radiation oncology is a little different. I get to sit with in the waiting room with all the other waitees. So far they are a little (ok lot) older than us and have many, many stories to tell. It seems they try to one up each other with whose family has the worst cancer and who died from what. Strange.
Steve is still "helping" me by offering suggestions.....don't you want to turn here instead of going straight? It will be easier than turning up there or you can make it, we have a hemi! Have I mentioned 7 weeks of togetherness??!!!!
Life is good, though. Only 6 more chemo treatments and 34 more radiation!

Saturday, July 31

A huge thank you to our family for the get-together on Saturday. This was a great day to relax and to get us ready for our days to come. The count-down begins. 47 days until we finish (last treatment date is 9/17/10).

We are ready to go on Monday, chemo is scheduled at 9:30 and radiation 3pm.

We love you all.

Yo, Yo, Yo!!!!!

I would like to give a shout out to all my Peeps and Peepettes who had my back with well wishes and prayers over the last few days. Thank you very much. I'm feeling better after each shower and day at home. I just wish I could sleep more. Oh well. Alanna and Stephen thank you again for taking care of all the phone calls. Mary thank you for everything. I owe you. Also, Sue, thanks for the blessed St. Jude holy card and lighting a couple of candles. I love you all.

Feeding Tube Flushing!

Steve's feeding tube needs to be flushed twice a day if it isn't used. I remembered during the middle of the night (don't you always remember things during the middle of the night?). Of course I forgot and just remembered oops. Steve was a trooper as I was pushing the syringe down as fast as I could to get the water in there. He then nicely reminded me to slow down. It wasn't as hard as I thought and I can check this off my list of things I was worried to do.
Have a wonderful day.

Monday, July 26

The ICU doctor came in and decided Steve was well enough to go home she gave Steve a prescription for pain and off we went.

I gave Steve a pill at 2:30 and we both slept until 5. That was the best sleep I've had since Friday!

He has an appt Friday with the radiation oncologist for a dry run and both treatments will start on Monday the 2nd.

A huge thanks to our children and families. Your love and support helped me make it through this weekend.

Sunday July 25th

The pulmonary dr. came in at 10am and did a laryngectomy. There was no swelling and removed the tube and woke him up.

Steve was groggy, but glad to get the tube out. He was able to have a liquid dinner. They wanted to make sure the feeding tube was working so they hooked up the feeding solution and that did work, though Steve told everyone that would listen that that was going to be used as a last resort.

Here's a bit of our conversation after the tube was out. Since Steve's voice was raspy, I had to get close to hear.
S - "you look tired," M - "I am, I've only been sleeping 3-4 hrs a night" S- "Sit down", I sit down. S - starts talking. I get up; S- "Could I have some ice chips", give him ice chips, I sit down. S- looks at the tv and frowns. M- "do you want a different station"? S- nods. The control wasn't hooked up to his bed, so I get up and go through the channels put on WGN. I go to sit down. Steve starts talking. I get up. S- "could I have more ice chips?" I get him more ice chips....and so on and so on.

Feeding Tube day Saturday

Day two. While Steve was heavily sedated and on the ventilator Dr. Ismail wanted to get the feeding tube in. Surgery number 2 was scheduled for 8:15 then moved to 10am and was performed in his room. SUCCESS! This surgery actually only took about 1/2 hour since Steve had been marked on Friday before things went to hell in a hand basket.
We impatiently were waiting for the pulmonary dr to come in and remove the tube. Steve's nurse paged him and he called back after an hour and said he wanted to leave it in another day to make sure there wasn't any swelling.

Feeding Tube Day - Friday

On Friday July 23rd, Steve was to have his feeding tube inserted. His surgery was scheduled for 1:15 (which was to last 2-3 hours). He was called back at 1:30 and at 2:35, my coaster beeped which meant they were paging me. I was brought back into this little room and they partialy closed the drapes. Hmmm, since my mamma didn't raise no fool, I didn't think this was a good sign, but all I thought it was they weren't able to perform the surgery because of some reason. Dr. Ismail came in and told me that Steve's breathing and bp went down and a tube was inserted. I must have had this blank look on my face and he said did you hear the code - that was for your husband. He is being moved to ICU and is on a ventilator. Then it clicked. He said he would take me back to see him. The anesthesiologist met me at ICU and explained what happened and assured me Steve was fine, but he was being kept in the hospital until they could do the surgery. I met the ICU Dr. who was absolutely wonderful. She again explained Steve was fine and was very calm.

Stephen, Alanna and families were called and those that were able came down to spend time with us.